by Steve Short | May 9, 2025 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
For many innkeepers, work-life balance can feel out of reach. Long hours, endless to-do lists, and the pressure of wearing all the hats takes a toll on both business performance and personal wellbeing.
That’s why simplifying operations isn’t just good business – it’s essential to building a more fulfilling life.
In this episode, Rebecca Gallagher, founder of hozperity, discusses how she helps independent lodging owners streamline operations, improve profitability, and reclaim their time.
We are very thankful to Rebecca for sharing her insights with us. You can learn more about hozperity at hozperity.com.
by Diann Turner | May 9, 2025 | Frictionless Guest App Posts, Frictionless Tips
Inns and B&Bs have always been known for their warm hospitality and home-cooked meals. But in today’s climate, small lodging providers are navigating a tricky balancing act: rising food costs paired with increasingly high guest expectations.
How can you manage inflation without sacrificing quality—or the personalized touches that keep guests coming back? Here are some practical, frictionless strategies for menu planning and cost control.
- Shrink the Menu, Elevate the Experience – A more focused breakfast or snack menu can reduce waste, streamline prep, and highlight your specialties. Instead of offering five different egg dishes, offer one signature frittata made with seasonal veggies and a side of locally baked bread.
Tip: Rotate menus weekly to keep things fresh for longer-stay guests and encourage return visits.
- Lean into Local & Seasonal – Sourcing ingredients from local farms and markets isn’t just trendy—it’s often more affordable and logistically reliable. Seasonal produce is usually cheaper and more flavorful, and it gives your menu a “fresh from the farm” feel that guests love.
Bonus: Guests enjoy stories—highlighting local vendors on your menu or during breakfast builds connection and adds value.
- Embrace Make-Ahead and Multi-Use Ingredients – Ingredients that can be prepped in bulk and used across several meals help minimize both labor and food waste. Think: yogurt that can top granola, swirl into smoothies, or accompany fresh fruit.
Try This: Signature baked goods (like a muffin of the week) that double as both a breakfast item and a welcome snack.
- Get Smart About Portions – Oversized portions can drain your food budget and lead to unnecessary waste. Smaller, thoughtfully plated servings often feel more curated and upscale—and guests will still leave satisfied, especially when quality is high.
Add Value: Offer guests seconds rather than serving large initial portions.
- Offer Add-Ons for Upselling (Strategically!) – Think about offering premium breakfast options or local snack baskets for a small extra charge. Guests who are food-focused or celebrating something special are often happy to pay a little more for a standout experience.
Ideas: Champagne brunch upgrade, charcuterie plate for two, or local honey sampler.
- Be Transparent, Not Defensive – If you’ve had to make small changes due to cost, communicate with authenticity. Guests are generally understanding—especially when you frame changes around sustainability, quality, or supporting local.
Food inflation isn’t going away tomorrow—but thoughtful planning and small adjustments can help lodging providers continue to deliver an amazing guest experience without breaking the bank. By focusing on quality, storytelling, and strategy, you can keep guests delighted while keeping your food costs under control.
by Steve Short | Apr 11, 2025 | Frictionless Guest App Posts, Frictionless Tips
Cookie-cutter travel experiences are a thing of the past. Today’s travelers want more than just a place to stay—they want to be immersed in the local culture. They crave authentic experiences, from hidden gem eateries to one-of-a-kind attractions, and they rely on lodging providers to guide the way.
According to Euromonitor International, 64% of “cultural explorers” seek travel experiences that offer deep engagement with local cultures, while 47% are interested in arts and heritage activities. This means your guests are looking for personalized recommendations that go beyond the typical tourist spots.
To meet these expectations, consider these ways to enhance your guests’ stay:
• Local Dining Delights – Offer a menu featuring regional ingredients or suggest nearby restaurants that showcase the area’s culinary scene.
• Create Unique Hands-on Experiences – By arranging for guests to spend a morning on a local farm or something similar. Feeding cows, harvesting vegetables, learning beekeeping, offers them a rare glimpse into the region’s agricultural life.
• Guest Speaker Events – Invite local artisans, historians, or musicians to share their expertise with guests. Enhance the experience by serving a local dish or beverage.
• Locally Sourced Gift Shop – Stock your shop with handcrafted items, local honey, or other unique souvenirs that reflect the community.
• Provide Insider Tips – Whether it’s the best spot for a sunset or the go-to place for ice cream, guests appreciate recommendations from those who know the area best.
Incorporating unique, hands-on experiences into your guests’ stays can create lasting memories and set your property apart. These immersive activities not only enrich the guest experience, but also strengthen their connection to the local community and its traditions, while increasing the likelihood of return stays.
by Steve Short | Apr 11, 2025 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
The quiet luxury trend that took off in 2024, where travelers sought more meaningful and authentic experiences, is shifting in 2025. This year, guests are choosing family-owned lodging for the warmth, connection, and comfort it offers.
Family-owned, independent properties are in a perfect position to meet this demand by creating stays that feel like home.
In this episode, Mandy Murry, founder of Hospitality Concierge, discusses how small stays can deliver these high-touch experiences. She also shares her “Undercover Boss”-style approach to consulting and the other trends she’s seeing across the industry.
We’re grateful to Mandy for sharing her insights with us. You can learn more about Hospitality Concierge at thehospitalityconcierge.com.
by Steve Short | Mar 14, 2025 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
For independent lodging operators, direct bookings are the ultimate goal. Yet, many struggle with optimizing their online presence to achieve this.
Tarun Goyal, Founder & CEO of Simplotel, discusses how their Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions are helping over 3,000 hotels worldwide improve their booking processes and maximize direct reservations.
Now expanding into North America, Simplotel offers independent properties a better way to increase margins, reduce OTA reliance, and enhance the guest booking experience.
We are very thankful to Tarun for sharing his insights with us.
You can learn more about Simplotel at simplotel.com.
